ISRAEL - Guaranteeing ‘Christian’ Safety
In January, two Jews were captured on camera vandalizing dozens of Christian graves in Jerusalem’s historic Old City, drawing condemnation from church officials and the United Kingdom. The two suspects were later tracked down by police, who were arrested and charged.
In another case, Russia condemned an alleged attack by “Jewish radicals” on the Church of the Assumption in Jerusalem’s Old City, with foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commenting that “there can be no excuse for such criminal attacks.”
Israel is committed to the personal security of Catholic churches in Jerusalem and the religious freedom of the city’s Christian community, Israel Police stressed in a meeting with community leaders.
In a “special” meeting held at the initiative of police, Jerusalem District commander Doron Turgeman, flanked by high-ranking police officials, met with the Christian community leaders at the Tower of David museum amid a surge in hate crimes carried out against Christians in the Israeli capital.
The meeting was held in order to establish an open dialogue with the Christian community, police said, as well as to address issues, strengthen ties and enhance the coordination between police and representatives of churches across Jerusalem.
-www.jpost.com, 8 August 2023
Arno's Commentary
We need to distinguish between Christians and the Christian religion. The Christian religion—manifested by historic church buildings—has been protected, not only throughout Israel’s modern history, but also during the Muslim Ottoman Empire. The fact that these buildings still exist is proof.
The other side of the story is that true Christians, born again of the Spirit of God, are to be found throughout the land of Israel, as well as the Middle East and the wider world. These Christians meet in various places, sometimes secretly, but they are a real presence. As the Bible tells us, the Church of the living God is an invisible reality. Paul asks the question: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The good news is the spiritual temple continues to grow despite opposition, and will do so until it is perfected. That is the point where Jesus takes His Church to heaven. The result will be catastrophic, because the light and the salt will have been removed from planet earth. Utter chaos will prevail, albeit only temporarily.
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
